In today’s society, we human beings are busier and more active than we have ever been. We have our exhausting jobs and/or schoolwork, travel with our friends and family, go to parties, etc. But I believe that a sizable amount of people do not realize something: it is okay to spend a little time on our own every now and then. In fact, it can be quite exhilarating.
When I have time off, I am certainly social. I have an abundance of friends and family to converse and partake in activities with. However, I also find it ideal to spend some time alone watching TV, playing video games, listening to music, or whatever it is I feel like doing at a particular time.
Doing things that I find enjoyable without others is very refreshing for me because I often find myself getting into something that no one else is. Sometimes I like to be the only one watching a movie or YouTube video because I do not feel like being interrupted by whoever I am watching it with.
Occasionally, I like to witness the experience of a movie, TV show, or video by becoming fully immersed in it without any distractions. In the case of television, there is also an abysmal chance that someone will change the channel on me, which is a feeling that I love.
There is a more significant reason for my preference of being alone at times—I am a high-functioning autistic.
People diagnosed with high-functioning autism have certain anti-social tendencies, such as breaking eye contact and shutting themselves in. I am certainly more social than I used to be, but I still like to have some alone time when I can get it. I usually occupy myself with electronic media like my MacBook when I am by myself. Sometimes I like to sit in my room and watch YouTube videos that I like.
But how exactly is this good for me?
Since I am a high-functioning autistic, I like to be without people for a certain period of time. I think that everyone can be like this, but I do not think they are like me. Being alone once in a while is good for me because it gives me an opportunity to escape from the real world and hide away.
Given all of the chaos in our world today, I find it therapeutic to occasionally be on my own and shut the rest of the world out. I like that feeling a lot. Getting lost in my thoughts and electronic media is something I simply need to do when I am not busy. I believe that this can also be great for others who are tired of everything happening in this world.
I find nothing wrong with going out or spending time with friends and family. In fact, I do it quite often when we all have time off. However, high-functioning autistics like myself find that some time alone can be one of the greatest things ever.